The velodrome was hidden amongst the houses. You went up a muddy track between garden fences and parked beneath the trees. There was a lot of rubbish lying about; bits of wood, twisted metal, faded signs, empty bottles, tatty scraps of paper, fallen leaves, oil cans, broken vending machines. There were a couple of portakabins … Continue reading Herne Hill

“So anyway I just did this spinning session oh god I literally thought I was going to die I was sweating like a you know what anyway there’s like 20 of us and it’s led by Jo she is amazing she just really pushes you my heart was at like 185 for the whole session … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 23 – The Spinner

Nick went to Paris with the club to watch the final stage of the Tour de France. There were four of them – Nick, Pete, Dave and Steve – and they drove to Ashford and caught the train from there. The train was busy and Nick was sitting beside Pete. Dave and Steve sat opposite … Continue reading Hot Wings

Once through the ski resort and over the brow of the hill the road started to descend. For 10 kilometres it fell in loops like butter curls to the valley floor. To one side, the hill was dusty and gravelly while to the other it fell away sharply, occasionally into depthless ravines, now into gentle … Continue reading Goats and Donkeys

"So anyway I was looking through these old photos and I found one from 1972 I did a 10 mile event on the old G11 course I remember that I had my Roberts with the down tube shifters of course Campag obviously and a Brooks saddle things were better then you didn’t have all this … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 18 – Better in the old days

“So anyway I just bought a fixie I got it from some bloke off Ebay he was a courier but had to give it up doesn’t have any brakes of course and he crashed broke his neck he’s paralysed now so he’s not riding still one man’s sorrow is another man’s joy so they say … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 17 – The Fixie Rider

“So anyway they say that the ideal number of bikes is n + 1 where n is the number you have already I mean everyone wants another bike don’t they I’ve got 4; a Bianchi, a mountain bike, an old steel bike and my Boardman which is like my winter bike but I really fancy … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 16 – The n + 1

“So anyway now I’ve got 5 Bianchis why not they’re gorgeous did you know they were the first Italian cycle brand probably the first anywhere iconic they are I’ve got an Oltre that’s the road racer and a Sempre that’s like a winter bike and an Infinito that’s an endurance all day sportive type bike … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 15 – The Bianchi Rider

“So anyway I just bought this Rapha top in the sale I know it’s expensive even in the sale it was like 80 quid but it’s made from this amazing fabric which is almost like waterproof and it’s so soft here feel it, no go on I mean it’s got this reputation but really you … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 3 – The Rapha Rider

“So anyway Sky is my favourite team and I’ll tell you for why they’re British for a start well almost I mean Sky TV is owned by an Australian Rupert Murdoch and 21st Century Fox is an American company but the Team Principal that’s Sir Dave Brailsford is British well Welsh anyway and they’ve got … Continue reading Cycling Monologues No 14 – The Team Follower